VE Day and VJ Day
VE Day A Chance To Honor WWII Service
8 May 1945: Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day or VE Day)
On this date the World War II allies formally accepted the unconditonal surrender of the armed forces of n*** Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. This surrender was authorized by Hitler’s replacement, President Karl Dontz. Hitler committed suicide during the Battle of Berlin on April 30th. The “act of military surrender” was signed on May 7th in Reims, France, and then on May 8th in Berlin, Germany.
US President Harry Truman turned 61 that day, he dedicated the victory to the memory of Franklin D. Roosevelt who had died on April 12th. Even with millions of people celebrating in the streets to mark the end of the European part of the war, flags remained at half-staff for the remainder of the 30-day mourning period, ending on May 12th.
About 16.5 million Americans served in uniform during World War II. Even those not in uniform were serving the war effort in various capacities on the home front, producing military equipment, observing national rationing, and scraping to salvage precious metals for the war effort. Half of the American males over the age of 83 today are World War II veterans. Approximately 407,000 American service men and women died during this war.
The Veterans of WWII are aging and we have the opportunity to still hear their stories of sacrifices and honor. Listen to them, share time with them. Do not overlook their accomplishments. Whether on the front lines or the homefront everybody served. Remember to thank them for serving our country.
VJ Day (Victory over Japan), occurred in August 1945, the date for unconditional surrender of the Japanese. the formal surrender did not take place until September 2, 1945 on board the USS Missouri. This was the official end of World War II.
It was with this celebration that the famed “Kiss in Time Square” picture was taken.
written by Sunshine and Nancy originally shared in 2010